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Date : 10/09/2003
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Title: Mabudafhasi: Introducing video on gender & protected areas, World Parks Congress


STATEMENT BY THE HON REJOICE MABUDAFHASI, MP, DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM SOUTH AFRICA, AT INTRODUCTION OF THE VIDEO ON GENDER AND PROTECTED AREAS, Community Symposium C, World Parks Congress, Durban, 10 September 2003

President of the IUCN and Chairperson of this event, Ms Yolanda Kakabadse
Honourable Ministers
Your Excellencies
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is not just an honour but also a prestigious privilege to introduces the video on gender and protected areas.

Whilst I am delighted to address this event I am also excited to share some ideas with you. Protected areas (PA) are specific and unique natural habitats, where human encroachment is restricted in order to preserve biodiversity for present and future generations. In many protected areas around the world, however, people with legitimate or historical land ownership live within the established boundaries.

Women's and men's relationships with the environment in the protected areas and their buffer zones, in the context of their respective gender roles, are crucial for the very survival of these natural habitats. While most conservation initiatives have focused on technical aspects of biodiversity, the adoption of a gender-equitable approach to conservation has also proven to be effective.

In the protected areas, women undertake such activities as gathering wildlife for food and fodder, maintaining home gardens, fishing the estuaries, and walking long distances to fetch water, while men's activities tend to include such things as hunting in the forests and fishing off shore.

Conservationists may see all of these activities as direct threats to conservation. Yet, to be successful, programme planners must acknowledge that protected areas also have a human face, which is affected by, among other things, gender roles.

Women and men have very different approaches to managing the environment; addressing these concrete differences will make people's relationship with the environment more sustainable. Gender equity should be viewed as a cornerstone to achieving sustainable development.

Several principles are key to promoting gender equality, equity, and sustainable work in protected areas:

* Gender is not an add-on item in a long list of tasks. It is a concept that permeates all aspects of life. A gender-equitable perspective does not limit men's participation; on the contrary, it allows for better and more balanced work between men and women, which will in turn lead to improved conservation outcomes.

* Gender analysis is a useful tool for conservation because it breaks down stereotypes, reveals roles that are often overlooked, helps ensure the representation of diversity in environmental management, and identifies local organisations that support communities.

* Gender equity is not guaranteed simply through women's participation in a given programme or activity. Women and men must be involved from the beginning -- in the definition of project objectives and the design of activities, so that conservation and sustainable development of protected areas meet the needs and priorities of both sexes.

* The gender perspective, based on social equity, contributes to achieving balance among the various interests of individuals, groups, and communities, and the conservation objectives of the protected areas. Hence, changes related to governance and management issues, including local and national legal procedures, regulations and public policies, can be promoted in protected areas to make them more efficient and fair.

The IUCN Fifth World Parks Congress offers an unprecedented opportunity to bring the issue of gender equity to the attention of the international community. The Congress' theme -- Benefits Beyond Boundaries -- sets the stage for developing gender guidelines for the next millennium through which the unique environments of protected areas can be sustained.

Taking into account this unique forum, I have the honour to present the video "GENDER MATTERS". This video has been produced by IUCN in collaboration with gender and protected areas specialist from all around the world. This video states that gender matters for the management and conservation of protected areas are imperative because:

* Gender equity is an essential principle to ensure sustainability, fair management, and successful conservation efforts in protected areas. Using a gender-equitable perspective, it is possible to create a global and integral vision of how women and men can have complementary relationships with their environment.

* From a conservation perspective, projects that have applied gender equity and promoted affirmative action plans to include women's contributions in protected areas have been more effective and balanced.

* Adopting a gender perspective implies going beyond the recognition of differences. It also implies working to enhance an equitable relationship for men and women within the protected areas and their buffer zones.

* Gender equity is a human rights issue and a precondition for sustainable development in protected areas.

Adopting a gender-equitable perspective in the sustainable resource management of the protected areas will help to:

* Make clear that communities are not homogeneous and, thus, lead to a diversity of stakeholders who will be better able to promote equitable conservation management
* Identify the different roles that men and women play regarding use, exploitation, management, and administration of protected areas' natural resources
* Realise that both sexes have different needs, interests, knowledge, and behaviour that shape conservation initiatives. This is an important aspect to consider when designing projects, conducting appraisals, allocating budgets, and analysing sensitive indicators to evaluate project performance
* Develop new initiatives for natural resource management that include women's participation, for example, by allowing them to perform an integral part of the development effort, instead of neglecting or excluding them from extension work, managerial roles, and decision-making.

In the search for strategies to conserve and sustain protected areas, each of us has a role to play. Once communities and institutions are aware of women's and men's differential needs and assets, we will be able to work together in a fair, balanced, and sustainable way. Using a gender-equitable approach is key to the survival of protected areas worldwide.

Let me conclude by quoting the words of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, 1st president of Tanzania "One does not walk very fast or very long on one leg; how can we expect to develop our nation with only half the population".

I challenge all of you involved in the conservation and management of protected areas, its time to walk on two legs, its time to fulfil the promises and compromises we have acquired in the last decades in relation to the promotion of equity.

Please join me as we view the video on gender and protected areas.

I thank you for time and support.

Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.environment.gov.za)

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